Circuit breaker drawout



Dec. 18, 1956 T. R. SHOOP ET AL 2,774,833

CIRCUIT BREAKER DRAWOUT Filed June 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I p I l l I BY W ATTORNEY 'EIQC' 195% R. SHOOF ETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER DRAWOUT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1954 INVENTORQ? j j ATTORNEY Dec. 18, 156

T. SHOOP ET AL CIRCUIT BREAKER DRAWOUT Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 29, 1954 IN VENTORS John J. E

Thoma, R Sheep and P i ATTORNEY T. R. SHOOP ET AL 277%833 CIRCUIT BREAKER DRAWOUT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec" 18 1956 Filed June 29; 1954 INVENTORS 1gp Qfld Ava. 5,

IR; 21:. lllllllll ATTORNEY T a Q MZ aw w Q 6 S u a m .IIIH IIIQM 4 M! M n HE MW W. m 4

United States Patent CIRCUIT BREAKER DRAWOU'I Thomas R. Sheep and John J. Espey, Baltimore County,

Md., assignor to The Wolfe & Mann Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application June 29, 1954, Serial No. 440,084

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-50) The present invention relates generally to the housing of electrical circuit breakers and more especially to a combination mounting itself containing a semi-automatic circuit breaker and means for supporting the breaker in a more convenient location when the breaker is being serviced.

One object of the invention is to provide a movable frame assembly or carrier for supporting an electrical breaker and a lever control means for positively moving the frame assembly a predetermined distance out for test purposes, and in doing so, breaking the electric circuit between the breaker terminals and the lead-in circuit terminals.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extension track on which the breaker assembly may be manually extended beyond the range of its positive lever controlled movement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means to prevent. accidental movement of the frame assembly when the breaker is in operating position.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the breaker can not become accidentally engaged with the lead-in circuit so long as the extensiontrack is in position to receive the frame assembly.

While several objects of the invention have been pointed out, other objects, uses and advantages will become more apparent as the nature of the invention is morefully disclosed, which consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in the specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure l is a side vertical sectional view of the housing assembly used in supporting the breaker.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of the breaker supporting frame.

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial side sectional view of the lower section of the breaker supporting frame assembly and part of the mechanism for moving the frame assembly a predetermined distance to engage or disengage the breaker from the electrical lead-in terminals, showing the left link and wheels.

Figure 4,is a view similar to Figure lshowing the frame assembly fully extended but on a smaller scale.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure l showing a side view of one set of tracks for supporting the frame assembly.

In referring to the drawings like character references are used to designate like parts throughout the several views. r

The apparatus is enclosed within a housing 1, which is provided with a hinged cover 2.

' The apparatus itself comprises an upright support or bracket 3 for supporting an electrical circuit breaker 4 shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 4. While the breaker support 3 is referred to as a bracket, it may be in any convenient form, such as a solid backing or the like. The bracket 3 is fixed upon a running gear and as 2,774,833 Patented Dec. 18, 1955 "ice a unit is referred to as the frame assembly. The frame assembly unit is removably mounted upon tracks located at each side of the frame and adjacent the bottom of the housing. Each track is in two sections. One section of each track is stationary and is normally positioned within the housing as shown at 5 and 6. This stationary section of track is the portion upon which the frame assembly rests when the breaker is in normal operation. The other section of the tracks are made up of the track elements 7 and 8 and have their lower and inner ends pivotally connected to the outer ends of the stationary tracks 5 and 6 in a manner later described. Located between the outer ends of the two track elements 7 and 8 is a bar 9 for maintaining the spacing of the tracks and to act as a hand lever in moving the outer track sections to various positions about their inner pivoted ends. This bar is normally used to move the tracks 7 and 8 to either a vertical or horizontal position. In Figure 1 the tracks are shown in vertical position and in Figure 5 they are shown in horizontal position.

In Figure 2 the frame assembly is shown in an inward position resting on the fixed tracks 5 and 6 which is the normal operation position for the breaker. In this position the electrical connecting elements 10 and 11 are in contact with the electric lead-in terminals 12 and 13. For easy engagement. with the lead-in terminals 12 and 13 there is provided on the ends of the elements 10 and 11 spring tensioned contact members 14 and 15. When the frame assembly is in this position the movable track section is in vertical position. and locked by the latches 16. Also when the tracks 7 and 8 are in this vertical position the cover 2 is closed, or placed over the front of the housing and willact as a safety device, that is, should the latches become accidentally released, the cover will prevent the movable track section from being lowered and disconnecting the breaker from the lead-in terminals. The fixed track membersv are preferably carried by brackets 5" attached to the sides of the housing by spot welding or other similar means. The tracks 5 and 6 are provided with channels 17 and 18 which are formed on the lower edges 5 and 6' of the track members 5 and 6 as shown best in Figure 2. Located above the channels 17 and 18 are retainer members 19 and 20 for preventing the frame assembly from becoming disengaged therefrom, the use of which will be hereinafter more fully explained.

' The outer two track members 7 and 8 are welded to brackets hereinafter described which are hinged or pivoted to the track members 5 and 6 by suitable pins 21 and 22.

The frame assembly is positively moved a predetermined distance along the tracks 5 and 6 by raising and lowering the pivoted track sections by means of link members 23 (see Figure 3) which are pivoted on the side portions of the frame assembly at 24. These link members are each provided with an extending portion and an enlarged head, or outer end portion 25, a portion'of the head extends below the lower edge of the body extending portion. Between the extending body portion and thehead portion is a slot 26. These links are adapted to engage pins 27 and 28 to form a positive connection. between-the, movable frame 3 and the extended track members7 and 8. In order'to assure that the link meme bers will always be in the proper location in relation to the pins there is provided a pair of looped springs 29-29, having one endhooking over the frame assembly and the opposite end engagingthe upper edge of the link. The springs are held in position by mounting them on the pivots 24, the pivots extending through the looped spring windings. It will be noted that the slot 26 in the link extends part way through the width of the link and the under side of the enlarged head member 25 projects considerably below the body of the link as shown at 30 and that the rear edge of the head is perpendicular to the l on gitudinal axis of the link and is also the outer side of the slot 26. The bracket member 3 is normally provided with additional supporting members 31 adjacent its top. The running gear section5 of the, frame, assembly comprise horizontal side members 32 and 33 on which the pivots 24? are mounted and the side members extend at right angles to the upright bracket member 3 and adjacent its lower end. While the bracket 3 is shown extending perpendicular to the running gear,.it could extend at any required angle. The running gear is provided with wheels rotating on pivots-3 km side members 32, 33'. the wheels running within the channels 17 and 18 are indicated at. 35, 36 and 37. The wheels are; prevented from accidentally rising outat thechannelsby the retaining members 19' and 20 Inorder to accommodate the pivot pins 21- and 22 and the linkengaging pins27 and 28, there areprovidedrela' tively large angular plate members 38-38 welded or otherwise fixedly secured on the lower, or inner ends of the movable track members 7 and 8. While the plates are shown of square or rectangular form they may be of any convenient shape which would include these members and the lower angular edge of the plat'esunderlie the fixed track sections 5 and 6 and align the movable track sections 7 and 8 with the fixed sections upon lowering the movable sections, as particularly shown in Figure 5. By means of these plates and this track connection, the movable sections also are enabled to support their load, when the movable sections are horizontal.

In Figure 3 the frame assembly is. shown. partially withdrawn in full lines when the movable track section: is lowered to a horizontal position and its location in. dotted lines when the extended track is raised to'a vertical position and with the frame back in the housing. The distance the frame has moved forward when the extension tracks are lowered is sufiicient to separate the electrical connections carried by the assembly from the fixed leadin terminals 12 and 13. In this position the breaker is not connected with the outside electric current, which is desirable when it becomes necessary to inspect or service the breaker carried by the frame. If it is more convenient, or necessary to inspect or service the breaker carried by the assembly, the outer ends 25 of the link members 23 are raised to clear the pins 27 and 28 and the frame assembly is moved out on its wheels to the extended track section as shown in Figure 4, from which the breaker and attached frame assembly may be lifted by a hoist for repair.

To place the breaker again in operating position it is replaced on the tracks and the breaker supporting frame assembly is moved back along and off the extended tracks. As the assembly moves inwardly the inclined lower surfaces of the link members 23 move up on and over the pins 27 and 28 and the slots 26 of the link members drop down over the pins 27 and 28 as shown in Figure 3; The heads 25 on links 23 rest in tracks 7 and 8 when: the assembly is out. As the pins 27 and 28 are carried 'on the plate members 38-38 and extend outwardly beyond the pivot pins 21 and 22 the inward travel of the frame will be stopped at this point, which still leaves the panel unconnected with the lead-in ter-' minals, by raising the bar 9 together with the extended track: members 7 and Sand the pins 27 and 28' will move upwardly around the pivot pins 21 and 22, in an arc and positively move the frame assembly inwardly a predetermined distance, connecting the breaker contact elements and 11 with the fixed lead-in terminals previously described. When the bar 9 has been moved to the normal upward resting place, the latches '16 will engage with the housing or other convenient holding means for holding the extension'tracks in vertical position and the breaker is in operating position. The cover is then closed over the housing.

Stop pins 3939 are provided in the side members 32-33 of the frame assembly to limit the upward swing of link members 23. These pins limit the upward swing of the links, so that projections 30 cannot pass pins 2728 when the breaker ,is placed back on the frame assembly, and the electrical connections cannot be made, that is, until intended by raising the movable track sections.

While the preferred form of the apparatus and its operation has been described in detail, this is not intended as a limitation, as various modifications could be devised in which the same principle would be involved and what is new and is desired to. be protected by Letters Patent is specifically set forth in the following claims:

1. A circuit breaker carrier comprising a movable frame assembly for supporting the breaker, stationary terminals of a lead-in circuit, electrical connecting elements fixedly secured to said frame assembly and adapted to move therewith, tracks for supporting said frame assembly along each side thereof, each of the tracks being formed in twosections, an inner fixedi section and a pivotal outer section, the inner section of the tracks supporting the frame assembly in inner breaker connected and outer breaker test positions, the movement of the frame assembly between said positions moving the connecting elements carried by the frame assembly into and out of engagement with the said stationary terminals and lever means for positively moving the frame between said positions, said lever means comprising the outer section of the tracks, said section having one end pivotally mounted on and adjacent the outer ends of the fixed tracks and movable between a vertical and a horizontal position, and forming a continuation of the fixed track sections when horizontal and releasable means between said movable sections and the breaker supporting frame, said frame being movable onto. the horizontal track sections upon the release of the releasable means.

2. A circuit breaker carrier comprising a movable frame assembly for supporting. the breaker, stationary terminals of a lead-in circuit, electrical connecting elements fixedly secured to said frame assembly and adapted to move therewith tracks for supporting said frame assembly along each side thereof, each of the tracks being formed in two sections, an inner fixed section and a pivotal outer section, the inner section of the tracks supporting the frame assembly in inner breaker connected and outer breaker test positions, the movement of the frame assembly between said positions moving the connecting elements carried by the frame assembly into and out of engagement with the said stationary terminals and lever means for positively moving the frame between said positions, said lever means comprising the outer section of the tracks having one end pivotally mounted on and adjacent the outer ends of the fixed tracks and'movable between a vertical and a horizontal position, and forming a continuation of the fixed track sections when horizontal and a pin hooked link cooperating between the outer sections of the tracks and the breaker supporting frame assembly for positively moving the breaker, supporting frame assembly between said posit-ions, when in,

' connected with the lead-in terminals, with the outer track section in vertical position and when out for moving the frame outwardly to test position and to disengage the lead-in terminals.

3. In a device as set forth in claim 2 in which the link cooperating between the outer sections of the track and the breaker supporting frame assembly has one end hingedly, connected with the frame assembly and a slot at its opposite end adapted to releasably engage a fixed pin mounted on the outer track sections eccentrically in respect to. the pivoting end of the outer sections of track.

4. An, electrical circuit breaker supporting apparatus, in combination, a housing, a movable frame assembly for carrying the breaker unit in and out of said housing, a fixed track for supporting said assembly within the housing and a foldable track having one end pivoted adjacent the outer end of the fixed track and coinciding therewith to form an extension thereof for moving the breaker frame assembly out beyond the housing and means operated by the foldable track for making and breaking an electric circuit to the circuit breaker upon locating the fold'able track in vertical or horizontal positions, respectively.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 4 in which the operating means between the foldab-le track section and the breaker carrying frame assembly comprises a pin engaged hinged link the link being carried by the frame assembly and being adapted to engage a pin carried on the foldable track section and movable therewith about the pivoting end of the foldable track in a predetermined are.

6. A circuit breaker carrier comprising a movable frame assembly for supporting the breaker, stationary terminals of a lead-in circuit, electrical connecting elements fixedly secured to said frame assembly and adapted to move therewith, tracks for supporting said frame assembly along each side thereof, each of the tracks being formed in two sections, an inner fixed section and a pivotal outer section, the inner section of the track supporting the frame assembly in inner breaker connected and outer breaker test positions, the movement of the frame assembly between said positions moving the connecting elements carried by the frame assembly into and out of engagement with the said stationary terminals and lever means for positively moving the frame between said positions, said lever means comprising the outer section of the tracks, said section having one end pivotally mounted on and adjacent the outer ends of the fixed tracks and movable between a vertical and a horizontal position, and forming a continuation of the fixed track sections when horizontal for the support of the breaker and frame assembly when moved out thereon.

7. A circuit breaker carrier comprising a movable frame assembly for supporting the breaker, stationary terminals of a lead-in circuit, electrical connecting elements fixedly secured to said frame assembly and adapted to move therewith, tracks for supporting said frame assembly along each side thereof, each of the tracks being formed in two sections, an inner fixed section and a pivotal outer section, the track supporting the frame assembly in inner breaker connected and outer breaker test positions, the movement of the frame assembly between said positions moving the connecting elements carried by the frame assembly into and out of engagement with the said stationary terminals, the outer section of the tracks having one end pivotally mounted on and adjacent the outer ends of the fixed tracks and movable between a vertical and a horizontal position, and forming a continuation of the fixed track sections when horizontal for the support of the breaker and frame assembly when moved out thereon the outer section of the tracks being connected to the frame assembly and moving the same outwardly when said outer sections are moved to horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,149 Linde Aug. 23, 1938 2,264,755 Johnson et a1. Dec. 2, 1941 2,412,931 West Dec. 17, 1946 2,443,669 Tusing June 22, 1948 

